Cyclist damaged my MK7 GTI in Central London

Chris344

Chris344

Chris344

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Bexleyheath, London.
Cyclist damaged my Golf GTI in Central London!

My other half was at a set of traffic lights behind three cars when a cyclist crashed into the rear bumper whilst trying to get between the stationary cars. Like an idiot, he looked back and cycled off.

Here is the damage, to say that I'm gutted is an understatement. It's also my 30th birthday weekend and I cannot enjoy it. It's only 3 months old.

Is this a smart repair or insurance claim? I want a good repair and not keen for my insurance to jump up. What's this ensurance service like from a VW?

https://www.dropbox.com/s/p0m5qr79lhivl3v/2014-07-05 11.57.40.jpg

https://www.dropbox.com/s/j0bvn9olgxo6929/2014-07-05 11.57.43.jpg

https://www.dropbox.com/s/o230vlf3obvxe6k/2014-07-05 11.57.58.jpg

https://www.dropbox.com/s/mdjiggh3rkyeyu6/2014-07-05 11.58.08.jpg


These pictures show the lip bent:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/92arj81a624fxmq/2014-07-05 15.15.57.jpg

https://www.dropbox.com/s/wkmgjphjagj7tbb/2014-07-05 15.15.59.jpg

I understand that accidents happen, it's cycling off. I'm sure if I had of damaged their bike that they'd expect my insurance to replace it.

I glad that I wasn't driving because I wouldn't have let me him away knowing that he's just damaged a 30k car!

I have not reported it to the police. They wouldn't do anything anyway and even if it's on CCTV there's no way of tracing a cyclist - there are 1000's in Central London.

The problem is, will a smart repair do a good enough job and I will also need a dent repair to iron out the bumper bend.

At this stage, I'm just thinking insurance via vw ensurance. What are approved vw body shops like? I don't want some young body repair driving around in my GTI.
 
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geekman said:
None of the pictures are coming up for me?
Click to expand...

It's been copied and pasted from somewhere else with plain links - hence the "..." shortening of the link remains as the actual link.

If the OP had edited their other post on whichever forum this was originally posted on, then copied the lot, including BB tags then the links should work.
 
Apologies - links fixed.

It's a MK7 Golf GTI 14 plate.

My other half was driving and behind 3 cars at a red light. He cycled off and took a right turn, my partner was not positioned to swap lanes and give chase.
 
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That might be able to be smart repaired if you want to save the cost. Not sure what the implications would be for any future issues relating to those parts.
 
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Thanks buddy.

At the moment I am considering the smart repair option before insurance as I'm keen to avoid adding another 'fault' claim. Last year, in the MK6 GT TDI, a motorbike forced my other half to swerve and hit the curb - causing 1k damage. I don't really want to go via insurance unless I have to. He too failed stop.

Can a smart repair iron out the slight lip and paint damage?

Dash cam being installed today!
 
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Sometimes they can iron out slight bulges, yes. It won't be absolutely perfect so it depends how much of a tolerance you have for these things. I drive a lot and accumulate a lot of dings/dents/marks so I'm not precious about slight imperfections anymore.

There's certainly no harm in getting a couple of smart repair quotes from people, and a proper quote from VW for the repairs. Weigh up your options of doing either privately vs. the likely insurance premium increase (do some speculative quotes with a different name, address and vehicle reg). If your policy has protected NCB, you're in your 30s, otherwise good record and have a low excess, maybe claiming for the proper VW work is worth it.
 
That's an idea, I'm due to see a smart repair chap tomorrow via VW for his view. I'll be happy with 95% back to original condition.

I'm 30 on Tuesday, have 11 years protected NCB and just the one 1k claim from December. Clean license and current excess is £150.

I get that accidents happen but failing to stop is just not acceptable. I'm sure if we had of damaged his bike, he'd be expecting my insurance to cover it!
 
Chris344 said:
Thanks buddy.

At the moment I am considering the smart repair option before insurance as I'm keen to avoid adding another 'fault' claim. Last year, in the MK6 GT TDI, a motorbike forced my other half to swerve and hit the curb - causing 1k damage. I don't really want to go via insurance unless I have to. He too failed stop.

Can a smart repair iron out the slight lip and paint damage?

Dash cam being installed today!
Click to expand...

Sounds like she needs her own car ;)
 
It's a Golf thing. My wife did circa 2k of damage to her MK5 GTi 2 weeks after delivery swerving to avoid another car on her side of the road and smacking a kerb. I just took it to VW and asked them to make it new again. Two wheels, two tyres, ball joint, alignment and labour. **** happens and my advice is do it right and don't bodge it.
 
Housey said:
It's a Golf thing. My wife did circa 2k of damage to her MK5 GTi 2 weeks after delivery swerving to avoid another car on her side of the road and smacking a kerb. I just took it to VW and asked them to make it new again. Two wheels, two tyres, ball joint, alignment and labour. **** happens and my advice is do it right and don't bodge it.
Click to expand...

Thanks Housey. True, **** happens. I want it looking perfect again.

Was that insurance or did you pay out of your pocket?
 
Were you in the car at the time?

Damage looks odd to be caused by a push bike, sure she's not driven it into something and is making a story up?
 
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